Gamers of the Underworld

Sherlock looked at the contingent of thirty marching towards the Spiders’ Lair from a distance. Though it was not a large group, with such organization and discipline, it did not look like what normal Goblins could do. They even had a swearing-in ceremony. To form this expedition quickly, many gamers contributed their bronze coins to help the expedition participants obtain their equipment.

Sherlock looked at these gamers who had strong positive energy and could not help but admire these otherworld’s Goblins.

Sherlock used Mana for surveillance on the expedition to see if they enjoyed the entertainment outlet. Death was no longer a huge problem. Sherlock was not concerned whether they would die in the lair as their revival would only cost Sherlock a bit of Mana and no financial loss.

When the Goblins arrived at the Spiders’ Lair, they had a climactic encounter with the Spiders.

The combat skills of the gamers were like babies, but with their superiority in numbers in addition to their low revival cost, the repeated fighting would hone their combat skills with time… They would only die a few times!

The gamers who were huddling together wailed in horror as the horde of Spiders swarmed out. In the ensuing confusion, some gamers were snatched off by the Spiders like little chicks. Some gamers were simply frozen, while others screamed wildly as they swung their Short Swords to resist. They were quickly thrown to the ground and either passed out or perished from the blows. Some Spiders were slashed by the gamers in the confusion, and those Spiders quickly retreated without any casualties.

Arthur was much more composed this time than during his first encounter. He was more skilled and agile than the other gamers, but he could not kill the Spiders easily. The bodies of the other gamers acted like a shield, and he only managed to injure the Spiders.

The battle was entirely lopsided. Instead of the gamers having fun, the superior Spiders were butchering the gamers. The gamers were like food for the creatures.

The gamers were being continuously snatched away. It was impossible to resist the Spiders or retrieve equipment or fallen comrades!

Those gamers who were snatched away had to create new characters.

“Bru.” Sherlock observed from the Magic Screen that the gamers were losing and asked Bru, “Are you sure that these otherworld’s Goblins like this kind of game? Being eaten, falling to death and losing their intestines? Do they obtain pleasure?”

“The otherworld does not have pleasure, but there is some pleasure in this world. ‘Sekiro’, ‘Souls’ series and ‘Bloodborne’ are quite popular,” Bru replied quickly.

“Don’t they have fighting in their world? Though they are weak, being butchered by the Underground Spiders like that shows that they are excessively weak…” Sherlock said, bewildered.

“Fighting? Of course, but their fighting opponents are different from ours. Their opponents are mathematics, physics, chemistry, unspoken rules, the struggle for a better life and the loss of special rights to the rich. As they are not life threatening, their combat skills are weak,” Bru explained. Then, Bru asked worriedly, “Lord Sherlock, if the butchering continues, I’m afraid the gamers will rage quit…”

“Rage quit?” Sherlock asked as he sensed the crux of the problem.

“It’s like a rebellion in this world! In this world, if you recruit a Goblin but don’t pay salary on time, or if the facilities of the Dungeon are not complete, the Goblin will leave the Dungeon quickly. Though the gamers from the otherworld will not rebel because of salary or facilities, they will leave if they don’t feel pleasure!”

Sherlock frowned. It was not easy to be a Dungeon Lord. It was even harder to be a qualified Dungeon Lord!

The times were changing. It was no longer the ignorant times in which the Dungeon Lord could strangle his servants as he pleased. The Dungeon Lords who treated their servants with cruelty were blacklisted by the Underworld creatures. Nobody wanted to work in such a Dungeon. The Dungeon Lords had to pay the servants salary and provide comprehensive facilities that were very expensive. It was not easy for Sherlock to have the otherworld’s Goblins who did not require salary and facilities. They could even perish and have unlimited revivals. All they wanted were metal coins and a Reputation system that made them work hard without supervision!

Such a free and continuous supply of labor like ancient slaves! You are telling me that they are likely to quit if this continues?

Sherlock realized the seriousness of the issue. If the otherworld’s Goblins who were providing free labour quit, he would have to incur large expenses for salary, facilities and entertainment when he recruited normal Goblins. That was what Sherlock did not want as he could at most afford five to ten normal Goblins.

“Lord Sherlock, as your loyal assistant, I feel I have to give you some suggestions. Though the gamers love to challenge themselves, if they have no chance to overcome the challenge after exerting their full effort, then their fighting spirit will diminish. If they have a chance to become stronger through their hard work and improve their chances of overcoming the challenges, their repeated deaths will inflame their fighting spirit,” Bru said.

“We can’t let them perish in this way. Setting aside the issue of them quitting, all of my bronze coins are not enough for them to repurchase lost equipment.” Sherlock took out a Teleport Scroll and said to Bru, “They have lost badly. Console them while I make a trip to Winterfell. I’m looking for a… Skills Trainer. They call this person a… coach?”

Sherlock tore the Teleport Scroll and vanished. Bru said helplessly, “Console them? Should I make an announcement to give them an expedition reward? Ten bronze coins per person? Seems feasible…”

While Sherlock was looking for a Skills Trainer, only ten of the thirty gamers had made it back and were in bad shape. Those that had perished had started creating their new characters. Those who were badly injured lay on the ground moaning. Though they didn’t feel the pain, they moaned a few times to maintain the game’s atmosphere.

The expedition met with a serious setback. A depressing and hopeless feeling pervaded the gamers who complained that the game was too difficult.

“The combat is so realistic that I’m losing all hope. I don’t even know where to stab the Spider with my sword!”

“The Spider scared the sh*t out of me!”

“If thirty of us can’t make it, don’t we have to muster a hundred of us?”

“This is frustrating. Half my leg was chewed and I can’t stand up. Where’s Sherlie? Can he heal me?”

The Dungeon was noisy and chaotic. The Fairy at the corner saw the bloody scene and was terrified. These Goblins were full of blood and could still joke casually. What kind of scary creatures could do such a thing? She had thought they were friendly. It was a mistake!

The gamers were perplexed by their failed expedition. They heard Bru’s voice in their heads.

“Congratulations on completing the hidden mission’s requirements. Every participant will receive a hundred Reputation Points, ten bronze coins and a free chance to improve your close combat skill! For exact details, please refer to the official website’s announcement!”

The gamers cheered wildly after they heard the voice of the public address system. Their depression and hopelessness vanished. Though they did not know how they were going to improve their combat skills, they could not wait to improve their fighting skills and challenge the Spider’s Lair.

Sherlock returned to Winterfell. After determining the direction, he walked in the opposite direction of the Bazaar. He was heading towards the Special Talent Market which was a place to recruit rare talents.